Flooring, no matter how new or beautiful, is meant to be walked upon. Vinyl flooring is no exception. Time and the onslaught of foot traffic will most certainly take its toll. But take heart, keeping your vinyl flooring as beautiful and inviting as the day it was installed just requires a little knowledge. So, check out the following advice and be a little smarter about smart and stylish vinyl flooring.

New vinyl floors are extremely durable and long lasting, but like any floor covering they still need regular maintenance to stay looking like new. Follow these general guidelines for vinyl flooring. For more detailed information always refer to the manufacturer’s written floor care procedures. You can’t avoid wear on your vinyl flooring, but knowing how to care for and maintain it can keep you floor in beautiful condition and make it a source of pride for years to come.

For the first 24 hours after your new vinyl floor is installed, protect all the seamed areas.

Keep the room at 68° F or greater for at least 2 days after installation.

Do not roll heavy objects directly on to a newly installed vinyl floor for at least 5 days.

Allow 5 days before thoroughly washing your floor.

Lay plywood down before moving heavy objects.

Check the condition of rollers and casters before use.

Protect your vinyl floor by covering the legs of furniture with felt protectors.

Remove dust, sand and grit particles.

Don’t use a vacuum with a beater bar.

Rinse the floor thoroughly with fresh water after cleaning

Place non-staining, walk-off mats or rugs at every outside entry to your room.

Be sure to avoid using rubber-backed mats or rugs.

Use rugs specially designed for vinyl floors.

For spots or spills, wipe them up immediately.

Make sure the floor’s manufacturer recommends the cleaner you are using.

Avoid using abrasive scrubbing tools.

Never use abrasive cleaners, soaps, paste waxes, or solvents on your vinyl floor.

If you purchased a PVC vinyl floor you should consider placing 2-3 coats of the manufacturer’s recommended floor polish on the floor immediately.

Cover open seams immediately.

If your floor gets a cut or gouge in it, cover the area immediately and call your flooring professional.

Urethane floors finish can darken over time.

For more maintenance information specific to your vinyl flooring, remember to consult the manufacturers’ recommendations.

Faux stone floors are a wonderful way to get the look of stone at a budget friendly price.

The floor pictured here has the look of a marble harlequin pattern floor. Is it marble? Or is it faux stone? It is difficult to tell the difference without being able to touch and feel the floor.

Faux stone floors have come a long way in the last few years. There are faux stone tiles made from porcelain or ceramic as well as vinyl. Each of these materials has its own unique characteristics but amazingly can imitate the look of stone to fool most eyes. Ceramic tiles can be created that even have the small pockmarks of travertine as well as the look of slate and other stones. Porcelain and ceramic tiles will also give the cool feeling underfoot of real stone.

Vinyl faux stone tile can give you the look of stone without the budget expense of real stone. Today’s vinyl floors are very different from your mother or grandmother’s vinyl kitchen floor. Faux stone vinyl tiles can even have some of the texture of real stone even if they don’t have the cool stone feel. Vinyl tiles are also a great project for homeowners who want to change the look of a bathroom or mudroom floor in a hurry.

There’s no hiding how this store perceives itself. Check your wallet before you walk in – if it’s too thin, walk on by.

Most of us would not be drawn to a store that promotes itself as expensive. High prices are not the same as high quality, and the focus should be on quality and value, not just the “bottom line.”

When it comes to flooring, often people perceive many choices as expensive. In reality, there is almost as wide a variety in flooring materials, construction and workmanship as there is in clothing. When you’re making purchasing decisions, it’s important to look beyond price to find the quality and style you want and determine the true value of your choice.

Sometimes a silk shirt is the right choice, and for other purposes, cotton may be better. Silk is more expensive than cotton in general but it might be just right with the outfit you’re planning so you’re willing to pay more. In the same way, one flooring material may be more expensive but worth the price for your purposes.

When you’re debating about the right flooring for you, how about taking the cost difference between the two options and dividing it by the number of years you plan to live in your home. Are you willing to pay that much more a year for the more expensive flooring? If you plan to move in a few years, take a look at resale issues. For example, homes with wood floors sell faster than homes with any other type of flooring.

When you’re choosing flooring, don’t discard price issues, but be sure to look beyond cost when you make your final choice.

Question: I cook a lot and I want to put a vinyl floor in our kitchen. With upgraded cabinets and a solid-surface countertop, will it look out of place?

Answer: Take a look at today’s vinyl floors and you will discover that their designs and textures will easily support your kitchen plans. This kitchen floor, for example, closely matches the look and even the texture of a nice porcelain tile.

Many long-time cooks prefer to put a “soft” floor in their kitchens. Those options include vinyl as well as laminate and wood floors. They are much easier on your feet than stone or tile when your work involves a lot of standing.

The other advantage to vinyl for a cook is the easy clean-up. Just a quick swipe and spills and spots are gone. This floor can handle almost anything you throw at it.

Finally, vinyl is a very cost-effective flooring choice. This gives you the flexibility to select one of the higher-end vinyl floors while still having the budget for upgrades somewhere else such as the six-burner range shown in the photo!

Go ahead with vinyl. Choose what you will enjoy. It’s your home and your kitchen, and you can make it both beautiful and functional.